Personal Retrospectives Session (a.k.a., Facilitator, facilitate thyself)
Actions:
Format: discussion Agenda:
WHY do personal retrospectives? (i.e., purpose of this discussion)
For professional improvement For personal improvement (a more “systematic view” of your life)
WHEN should you do personal retrospectives?
Seeing patterns… When you see repeating patterns of confusion (things you see occurring again and again and don’t know why)
Need to look at systems/cultures… After “first contact” with client After too much contact with client (e.g., been working with them so long you feel like an employee)
Gut feelings - feel real good or bad about something that happened - it’s been too long
On a regular rhythm - on trip home - once a month - once a week (ala’ GTD)
WHO should you involve in personal retrospectives?
Do you need a facilitator? They may need to be “inside” your situation or “outside” May be best to have multiple perspectives Example formats: - awareness committee (a short-term group; very structured with very specific purpose and very focused questions; Quaker practice) - personal board of directors (a persistent group that you seek regular, honest advice; from Jim Collins, author of “Good to Great”) - The Clinic: get various points of view from “specialists”
Create a Community of… - Trust - Honesty - Knows your circumstances - Understanding (of what you need); examples
HOW should you conduct personal retrospectives? (process)
Need a process (probably unique to individual)
Need an outcome (expect a “plan of action”; i.e., retrospectives have action plans as outcomes)
Focus on what you have energy to address - not on the “biggest problem” as you may not have enough energy/capacity at the time or it may take longer than you have time for (again, capacity)
Following 5 Stages of a Retrospective - Need to Set Stage (proper environment, safety) - What input do I trust?
COLLECT DATA How you “Collect Data”; What you might collect - varies widely (timelines, journals, 3×5 cards capturing “experiences” to get it out of your head) - Things about yourself (e.g., what do I “value”? Do I still “value that? What would it look like if I had a different value?) - an experience may have ”hooked“ something that you didn’t realize was in you
- not making judgements of self (very tough; remember Prime Directive)
- look for different perspectives
- look for your Dead Zones (where do I typically NOT look
Look for something you are convinced is NOT the problem? Why do you think that?
Look for feedback when you don’t want it e.g., I’m too tired - you may need it but you are too tired to process it
GENERATE INSIGHTS You have to be ready to take a leap - analysis & implications → turn into:
Self coaching
WHAT should you use for personal retrospectives? (tools)
Long list of questions (Ainsley can provide examples?) e.g., “Who’s legs are you dancing on?“
Look back on your personal charter (book references from Ken)
Just get feedback from a different viewpoint - this may be from books - this may be from people - ”it depends“ on your personal preferences
Keep a retrospective attitude (Remember Kerth’s Prime Directive!!!)
Soft eyes - looking for patterns vs details (e.g., the 3×5 data collection technique)
To GENERATE INSIGHTS
Byron Katy (thework.com) 4 questions to ask 1) Do you believe it? 2) Do you believe it is absolutely true? 3) How do you feel about it? 4) (turnaround questions)
6 Thinking Hats (deBono)
4 Fold Way (Arrien)
SWOT - Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats (present & past)
SOAR (an appreciative inquiry version of SWOT) - Strengths - Opportunities - Aspirations - Results
Creative Whack Pack
Christopher Avery’s Responsibility Process Model